Co-culture of Ulva sp. and Dicentrarchus labrax in Recirculating Aquaculture System: effects on growth, retention of nutrients and fatty acid profile

European sea bass and Ulva sp. were co-cultured in different tanks of an indoor Recirculating Aquaculture System (Ulva-RAS) with bacterial biofilter, in an effort to optimize the efficiency of the system and to further decrease the waste effluent. A system with similar culture conditions, without Ulva, was used as a control-RAS to elucidate integration effects on growth performance and chemical composition of sea bass. The role of Ulva on N and P concentrations, gas (O2, CO2) and pH in water was also investigated. Fish were fed a diet of fish oil replacement (55%) with a mixture of rapeseed oil and palm oil (1:1). Our data showed that Ulva could uptake N and P nutrients, but could also enrich sea water with phosphates. Sea bass reared in Ulva-RAS exhibited isometric growth, while fish in control-RAS showed a positive allometric growth and an increased variance of body weight and length. In addition, sea bass in Ulva-RAS demonstrated significantly higher levels of condition factor (K), feed intake, protein, lipid, P, EPA and DHA content (% wet weight of total body) and lipid productive value, compared to fish in control-RAS. Ulva, after bi-weekly culture, showed increased protein content (60%) compared to wild seaweed collected nearshore. Cultivated Ulva obtained dark green color, doubled chlorophyll concentrations, and exhibited lower levels of saturated and higher levels of certain monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, indicating increased photosynthetic activity. Present results revealed the beneficial effects of Ulva on sea bass growth and quality, which led to an improved response to the nutritional stress imposed by the fish oil replacement with vegetable oils, thus contributing to a sustainable aquaculture. Moreover, it was concluded that Ulva could improve water quality by increasing pH and O2, reducing CO2 and contribute to bioremediation of ammonia and nitrates from water in integrated aquaculture

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European sea bass and Ulva sp. were co-cultured in different tanks of an indoor Recirculating Aquaculture System (Ulva-RAS) with bacterial biofilter, in an effort to optimize the efficiency of the system and to further decrease the waste effluent. A system with similar culture conditions, without Ulva, was used as a control-RAS to elucidate integration effects on growth performance and chemical composition of sea bass. The role of Ulva on N and P concentrations, gas (O2, CO2) and pH in water was also investigated. Fish were fed a diet of fish oil replacement (55%) with a mixture of rapeseed oil and palm oil (1:1). Our data showed that Ulva could uptake N and P nutrients, but could also enrich sea water with phosphates. Sea bass reared in Ulva-RAS exhibited isometric growth, while fish in control-RAS showed a positive allometric growth and an increased variance of body weight and length. In addition, sea bass in Ulva-RAS demonstrated significantly higher levels of condition factor (K), feed intake, protein, lipid, P, EPA and DHA content (% wet weight of total body) and lipid productive value, compared to fish in control-RAS. Ulva, after bi-weekly culture, showed increased protein content (60%) compared to wild seaweed collected nearshore. Cultivated Ulva obtained dark green color, doubled chlorophyll concentrations, and exhibited lower levels of saturated and higher levels of certain monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, indicating increased photosynthetic activity. Present results revealed the beneficial effects of Ulva on sea bass growth and quality, which led to an improved response to the nutritional stress imposed by the fish oil replacement with vegetable oils, thus contributing to a sustainable aquaculture. Moreover, it was concluded that Ulva could improve water quality by increasing pH and O2, reducing CO2 and contribute to bioremediation of ammonia and nitrates from water in integrated aquaculture

Fatty acid composition of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, in relation to rearing temperature and body weight

Octopus vulgaris is considered a candidate for aquaculture and its growth performance is dependent upon temperature and body weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature oil the fatty acid composition of O. vulgaris in relation to body weight (60-663 g). The experiments were performed in a closed seawater system with controlled temperature (15, 20 and 25 degrees C). The octopuses were fed on squid (Loligo vulgaris). O. vulgaris showed a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (51.32-57.62% total fatty acids), particularly n-3 highly unsaturated acids (38.01-52.73% total fatty acids). At each temperature, the proportion of some fatty acids was highly (P < 0.0001) related to body weight. Specifically, 18:1n-9, 18:1n-7, 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 decreased, while 20:5n-3 (EPA) and 22:6n-3 (DHA) increased, with increasing body weight at 20 and 25 degrees C. The opposite was observed at 15 degrees C. Total polyunsaturated and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) decreased in larger octopuses at 15 degrees C, as well as in smaller octopuses at 25 degrees C, whereas total saturated, monounsaturated and n - 6 HUFA increased. Thus, total unsaturated fatty acids showed a relatively small variation (60.53-63.96% total fatty acids) and the mean unsaturation index was similar at 15 and 25 degrees C. Arachidonic acid (2.4-9.6% total fatty acids) was inversely related to EPA and DHA, and positively to 18:2n - 6, 22:4n - 6 and 22:5n - 6. It is noted that arachidonic acid is not an essential fatty acid for the common octopus. It is concluded that the fatty acid composition of O. vulgaris was influenced by temperature and body weight, but with an n - 3/n - 6 ratio of more than 3 and a DHA/EPA ratio of more than 1.5. The common octopus could be an excellent source of arachidonic acid, containing sufficient it - 3 HUFA levels, in low temperatures for large individuals and in warm temperatures for small ones. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Dynamics of Water and Biofilm Bacterial Community Composition in a Mediterranean Recirculation Aquaculture System

Recirculation technology has been emerging in the marine aquaculture industry. The microbiome developed in recirculation aquaculture systems (RASs) is an important factor for the optimal operation of these systems and fish welfare. In this study, the microbial community dynamics in the water column and the biofilms of a marine RAS with Mediterranean species of gilthead sea bream and sea bass were investigated, while physicochemical conditions were also monitored. Microbiological, culture, and non-culture analyses based on PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) fingerprints were performed on the water column and biofilm developed on stainless-steel surfaces. According to the obtained results, feed administration seemed to cause changes in pH and TAN, as well as drive changes in the bacterial abundance in the water column. Tested surfaces were colonized within 24 h and sessile cells were stabilized in terms of density within 6 days. DGGE fingerprints indicated the stability of the microbial community in water and a dynamic succession in the community of the biofilms. The fish pathogen Tenacibaculum discolor was found to colonize the biofilm and the water column. The main findings confirmed that RAS technology can be used as a control strategy for the stability of the water microbial community, that there is a dynamic succession of the dominant species in the biofilm communities, and that pathogenic bacteria can be dominant in the latter

Bycatch Dynamics from a Small-Scale Shrimp Trap Fishery in the Mediterranean Sea

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in the Mediterranean and Black seas play a significant social and economic role, representing 84% of the fishing fleet (70,000 vessels), 26% of total revenue (USD 633 million) and 60% of total employment (150,000 people), with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently taking important initiatives to sustain livelihoods. Effective management of important natural fisheries resources that sustain livelihoods requires a holistic approach accounting for all parts of the catch. Quantitative data on seasonal catch dynamics together with classification of bycatch species to IUCN vulnerability status and associated revenues from retained incidental catch were used to reveal the effect of a small-scale shrimp trap fishery on bycatch. We use three main quantitative variables (i.e., density, biomass and number of bycatch species) and show a positive correlation between bycatch and the seasonal catch dynamics of the target species during late spring and summer. On the contrary, discards were proportionally lower during winter, with the majority of discarded fish species not considered endangered. Six retained species in spring–summer and five discarded species in winter were found to modulate the structure of species’ assemblage. Out of 55 bycatch species, 26 were retained and 29 discarded. Only four species were considered threatened, all of which were caught in very low numbers (<2 individuals), while the majority of the retained species was not considered endangered. The rapid sorting time (<1 min/per trap) pointed towards a decreased effect on certain discarded crustacean species and a significant reduction in total bycatch with timely haul time (from 71 to 47%). The results of this study can be used when considering future mitigation measures for this fishery, while the methodology used can provide insights into the management of similar trap fisheries worldwide when taking into account the sustainability of SSFs and the regional vulnerability status of bycatch species

Growth Performance and Environmental Quality Indices and Biomarkers in a Co-Culture of the European Sea Bass with Filter and Deposit Feeders: A Case Study of an IMTA System

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system comprising co-cultured fed fish and organic extractive species representing three distinct trophic levels as well as the impact and potential utilization of two commercially available fish feeds made up of 35% fish meal (FM) and 20% fish meal (LFM) ingredients, using a multi-indicator assessment approach. Significant alterations were observed in growth performance indicators (GPIs), water and sediment quality indices, toxicity tests and biomarkers within the IMTA system. The fish survival, weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) were higher in the IMTA system with significantly lower feed conversion ratios (FCRs) and higher feed efficiency (FE) in comparison to the fed fish monoculture system. Yet, organic filter feeders displayed 100% survival, and increased shell growth, while deposit feeders exhibited successful survival and significant weight gain. In the comparison between FM-IMTA and LFM-IMTA, fed fish in FM-IMTA showed higher WG, SGR, and FE with lower FCR. Environmental parameters like temperature, oxygen, and nutrient concentrations fluctuated but generally improved in the IMTA system, indicating lower mesotrophic conditions. Sediment fatty acid profiles differed between systems and toxicity assessments, which suggested a lower impact in IMTA and FM-IMTA systems. The sediment microbial community displayed high similarity within IMTA systems and between FM-IMTA and LFM-IMTA. These findings underscore the potential of IMTA systems for sustainable aquaculture, emphasizing improved growth performance and reduced environmental impact, particularly when using fish meal feeds

High-Resolution Melting (HRM) Analysis for Rapid Molecular Identification of <i>Sparidae</i> Species in the Greek Fish Market

The red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) and the common dentex (Dentex dentex) are Sparidae species of high commercial value, traded in the Greek market. In some cases, fish species identification from Greek fisheries is difficult for the consumer due to the strong morphological similarities with their imported counterparts or closely related species such as Pagrus major, Pagrus caeroleustictus, Dentex gibbosus and Pagellus erythrinus, especially when specimens are frozen, filleted or cooked. Techniques based on DNA sequencing, such as COI barcoding, accurately identify species substitution incidents; however, they are time consuming and expensive. In this study, regions of mtDNA were analyzed with RFLPs, multiplex PCR and HRM in order to develop a rapid method for species identification within the Sparidae family. HRM analysis of a 113 bp region of cytb and/or a 156 bp region of 16s could discriminate raw or cooked samples of P. pagrus and D. dentex from the aforementioned closely related species and P. pagrus specimens sampled in the Mediterranean Sea when compared to those fished in the eastern Atlantic. HRM analysis exhibited high accuracy and repeatability, revealing incidents of mislabeling. Multiple samples can be analyzed within three hours, rendering this method a useful tool in fish fraud monitoring

Aquaculture Multi Trophique Intégrée : le projet IMTA Effect

National audienc

Aquaculture Multi Trophique Intégrée : le projet IMTA Effect

National audienc